Private Hire Vehicle Licences

Summary

Private hire vehicles must be booked in advance through an operator and cannot stand on taxi ranks or be hailed in the street. Private hire vehicles are not insured if the journey is not pre-booked through an operator.

Private hire vehicles are sometimes fitted with a meter but, in most cases, the cost of the journey is quoted and accepted at the time of booking. If the vehicle is fitted with a meter, then it must display a table of fares and provide us with a copy.

Vehicles are tested annually. If they pass the test they will be licensed to carry a certain number of passengers - the maximum number permitted is shown on the plate attached to the rear of the vehicle.